Comments on: Can You Still Do It? – Part 2

By: Rod

Rod — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 22:47:00 +0000

Kevin, thanks for the clarification. And I’ve been disappointed but somewhat amused by their backwards marketing strategies. One wonders what possibly makes them think that’s the way to go.

By: Kevin Lewis

Kevin Lewis — Mon, 11 Nov 2013 22:52:18 +0000

Hi Rod, to answer your question, I play much, much less than I used to. I play some breakeven or slightly better games for the minimum amount to get mailers, and I play some .25 FPDW now and then, but that’s about it. In the past, $2-3K/month was adequate compensation for my efforts, but now, I could barely earn $8/hr, unless I was willing to more than quintuple the stakes for which I play, and I’m not willing to do that. (Jean’s experience is almost unique in that she’s a $25/hand advantage player, but hasn’t experienced a wave of barrings/no-mailings/etc. The vast majority of the time, you can count on being crushed like a grape if you play +EV VP at the dollar or higher level.) That aside, a major factor in the reduction in my play is that several casinos that I used to give a lot of action to have decided that because I play good games (the games that they offer!), I should be treated like dirt. There are a dozen Vegas casinos that I will never set foot in again. Also, I don’t stay in any hotel-casino that charges resort fees, nor am I inclined to give them my gambling business. Vegas casinos have responded to hard economic times by doing the exact opposite of what rational businesses should do: they’ve raised prices and cut service and quality. Screw ’em.

By: Rod

Rod — Mon, 11 Nov 2013 06:23:32 +0000

So, Kevin, why did you do it? Are you still doing it? If so, why? I have appreciated your knowledge and insight in your comments to many of Jean’s posts. However, lately you seem much more negative and I just wonder why you’ve continued to play (that is, if you have continued).

By: Kevin Lewis

Kevin Lewis — Sun, 10 Nov 2013 19:37:34 +0000

Saying that it’s still possible to play VP without losing is about as germane as being in a crashing airplane and saying, “No worries, we haven’t hit the ground yet.” Casinos have become extremely hostile to not just the advantage but also the breakeven player. Even 99% games are becoming scarce. If a friend asked me for advice on playing VP, my reply would be succinct: “Don’t.” Anything I taught him would be obsolete the moment he arrived at his favorite casino and found that the VP offerings were now 6/5 Jacks or Better with an 0.00001% slot club (free doughnut, no sprinkles, for every $100,000 coin-in). This year, I’ve had at least half a dozen decent plays disappear WHILE I WAS PLAYING THEM. I’ve been denied a BUFFET COMP after running $14,000 through a 99.7% machine. “Can you still do it?” Yes–if you have a bankroll of 500K or more and are willing to possibly lose all of it. It’s AT THE MOMENT still possible to get up to, say, 100.2% at a few places (and yes, I know that there are still a couple dozen .25 FPDW machines in Vegas–for now). Doing even that will make you the target of casino hate, and you will be no-mailed and possibly even shown the door. It’s time for all of us to think of some better way to spend our time besides gambling (and even when we all could play at +EV, what was the value of all the hours we spent doing it? My yearly intake during the good years averaged 27K, but what was the value of all the hours I spent not only playing, but driving to and from casinos, perusing the paper and the internet for good plays, clipping coupons, etc. etc. etc.?).

By: skallis

skallis — Sun, 10 Nov 2013 04:59:50 +0000

You are so correct that things do change. Some time ago I realized that the casinos were continuing to make many changes so they would remain profitable. My play changed to whatever I could receive i.e. meals, rooms etc. while maintaining my modest gambling budget. My other change was to join the casinos and profit with them. I now own various amounts stock in several casinos which have proved to be quite profitable. I do not beat the odds, I receive modest perks, and I make make money as the casino stocks rise and pay dividends. I also sleep better at night while still having fun.

Thank you so much for your writings I enjoy them very much!

By: George Mikutowicz

George Mikutowicz — Sun, 10 Nov 2013 03:43:57 +0000

Can’t wait for Part 3
George